"Presently, the Central Region lies within the sway of the Cao family!"
"Nigh unto a state where its decrees are heeded with nary a whisper of dissent, such is the might of the Cao family's rule!"
"..."
Cao Wenbin offered but a cursory introduction, terse in his words.
Nevertheless, these two laconic sentences were sufficient to evoke a scornful laugh from Yi Qing'er.
"None dare oppose? How imperious!"
"It seems the Central Region stands once more on the cusp of a dynastic upheaval!"
"Verily, it is a cycle of ten millennia, from which none can escape!"
Were it another, fury would have seized them in that instant.
For this curse is of a most pernicious nature.
Yet Cao Wenbin, privy to the future, remained unmoved by anger.
Rather, curiosity suffused his visage.
"Thou dost exaggerate somewhat, methinks!"
"Know that the Cao family boasts a multitude of emperors!"
"Speak not of dynastic change..."
Before Cao Wenbin could conclude his utterance, Yi Qing'er interjected with alacrity.
"Such things avail naught!"
"In days of yore, our Qingling Dynasty too had emperors as numerous as the stars!"
"Even several of the zenith - level emperors graced our ranks!"
"Yet, behold, have we not fallen to this woeful state?"
"Not only us, but the erstwhile hegemons of the Central Region suffered the same fate."
"And they fared far worse."
"At the least, some embers of our dynasty remain, but they were obliterated without a trace!"
Cao Wenbin lapsed into silence.
For this cadence mirrored all too closely the tale of the Cao family in the original lore.
The once - stalwart pillar of support had crumbled in the twinkling of an eye.
And Yi Qing'er's diatribe continued unabated.
"At first, we gave it little thought."
"Mistakenly believing our downfall to be a matter of inferior prowess."
"But as time's river flowed on, enlightenment dawned."
"It transpires that all this is the machination of that accursed Heavenly Dao!"
"Though bereft of consciousness, it harbors an innate drive to wax stronger."
"And the Central Region is naught but its vile breeding ground, a macabre arena for nurturing the strong as one would rear venomous insects."
"Once every ten thousand years, it reaps its harvest, thereby augmenting its own power."
With each word, Yi Qing'er's ire grew apace.
And rightfully so, for none could endure such a plight with equanimity.
Cao Wenbin, having heard these revelations, sank deeper into silence.
"I comprehend. I fathom it all."
"So - called Chosen Ones of Heaven are but the executioners cultivated by the Heavenly Dao."
"No wonder they are so blood - drenched, slaying entire households at the merest trifle."
"Nay, I will not await my doom with folded hands."
"Since the Heavenly Dao is so bereft of mercy, then let us supplant it."
Without the least surprise, a fierce light flashed within Cao Wenbin's eyes.
Thereupon, his entire focus returned to Yi Qing'er.
For to accomplish such a Herculean feat is no trifling matter.
All forces that can be rallied must be brought together.
"What manner of gaze is that?"
"Enough. I have imparted all that I know. Release me now."
"Have no fear. Once freed, I shall never betray thee."
Cao Wenbin's smile was one of pure malevolence. "Utter such words no more."
"I will never set thee free."
"There is but one path for thee, Empress. That is to meekly become my armor."
Yi Qing'er was startled.
Clearly, she had not anticipated the voracious appetite of the man before her.
But soon, a blush suffused her delicate countenance.
For the transformation into armor is no simple matter.
The process is fraught with complexity and twists.
...